Norway — … ‘just the essentials’ portal
Travel Information
Topics like:
- Arrival in Norway (Visa, Customs, etc.)
- Climate
- Electricity
All our articles about the Norway can be found here ↦ www.travel1000places.com/tag/norway/
Currency
Norwegian Krone [Exchange Rate Norwegian Krone]
Norway Time Zone / Daylight Saving Time
This current year’s Daylight Saving Time can be found on all our pages within the sidebar or on our Homepage: www.travel1000places.com
Overview: Norway
Two centuries of Viking raids into Europe tapered off following the adoption of Christianity by King Olav TRYGGVASON in 994; conversion of the Norwegian kingdom occurred over the next several decades.
In 1397, Norway was absorbed into a union with Denmark that lasted more than four centuries.
In 1814, Norwegians resisted the cession of their country to Sweden and adopted a new constitution. Sweden then invaded Norway but agreed to let Norway keep its constitution in return for accepting the union under a Swedish king.
Rising nationalism throughout the 19th century led to a 1905 referendum granting Norway independence.
Although Norway remained neutral in World War I, it suffered heavy losses to its shipping. Norway proclaimed its neutrality at the outset of World War II, but was nonetheless occupied for five years by Nazi Germany (1940-45).
In 1949, Norway abandoned neutrality and became a member of NATO. Discovery of oil and gas in adjacent waters in the late 1960s boosted Norway’s economic fortunes.
In a referenda held in 1972 and 1994, Norway rejected joining the EU.
Key domestic issues include immigration and integration of ethnic minorities, maintaining the country’s extensive social safety net with an aging population, and preserving economic competitiveness.
Description of the Norway flag:
- red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of the flag;
- the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag);
- the colors recall Norway’s past political unions with Denmark (red and white) and Sweden (blue)
Norway Data & Facts: population, area, coastline
Location
Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden
Area
total: 323,802 sq km
land: 304,282 sq km
water: 19,520 sq km
country comparison to the world: 69
Area – comparative
slightly larger than twice the size of Georgia; slightly larger than New Mexico
Area comparison map
Land boundaries
total: 2,566 km
border countries (3): Finland 709 km, Sweden 1,666 km, Russia 191 km
Coastline
25,148 km (includes mainland 2,650 km, as well as long fjords, numerous small islands, and minor indentations 22,498 km; length of island coastlines 58,133 km)
Climate
temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy year-round on west coast
Terrain
glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken by fertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indented by fjords; arctic tundra in north
Elevation
mean elevation: 460 m
elevation extremes: lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m
highest point: Galdhopiggen 2,469 m
Population – distribution
most Norwegians live in the south where the climate is milder and there is better connectivity to mainland Europe; population clusters are found all along the North Sea coast in the southwest, and Skaggerak in the southeast; the interior areas of the north remain sparsely populated
Population
5.5 million (estimated 2021 by U.S. Census (Population Clock: Norway (census.gov))
Nationality
noun: Norwegian(s)
adjective: Norwegian
Ethnic groups
Norwegian 83.2% (includes about 60,000 Sami), other European 8.3%, other 8.5% (2017 est.)
Languages
Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities
note: Sami has three dialects: Lule, North Sami, and South Sami; Sami is an official language in nine municipalities in Norway’s three northernmost countries: Finnmark, Nordland, and Troms
volcanism: Beerenberg (2,227 m) on Jan Mayen Island in the Norwegian Sea is the country’s only active volcano
Natural hazards
rockslides, avalanches
